Wednesday, January 20, 2016

A Semi-Serious Proposal to Make Football More Exciting

We're in the middle of the NFL playoffs (and the Seahawks have been eliminated) and we've seen some fun games. But I have an idea to make football a bit more exciting.

You know how basketball had the 3-point shot where if the ball is thrown behind a line, it counts for three points? I propose something like that for football. Here it is:

If a team starts from scrimmage behind the 30-yard line closest to the opposing team end zone, and makes a touchdown, they get 8 points instead of 6. This must be the first time they cross the 30-yard line. If they get pushed back behind the 30 yard line by penalties or sacks or whatever, then they are ineligible for the 8 point play.

This would give teams that are behind incentive to try more spectacular plays to get 8 points instead of 3. A touchdown with the point after could be 9 points. This could turn a game around.

It seems unfair that a team that slogs into the end zone for a touchdown from the 2 yard line gets the same number of points as a team that manages to make a play and do it from, say, the 35 yard line. It has to be from scrimmage, no punt or kick-off returns or interceptions.

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S. Evan Townsend has been called "America's Unique Speculative Fiction Voice" and writes novels that cause thrills and rapid page-turning. After spending four years in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence branch, he returned to civilian life and college to earn a B.S. in Forest Resources from the University of Washington. In his spare time he enjoys reading, driving (sometimes on a racetrack), meeting people, and talking with friends. He is in a 12-step program for Starbucks addiction. Evan lives in central Washington State with his wife and has three grown sons. He enjoys science fiction, fantasy, history, politics, cars, and travel. He currently has ten published fantasy and science fiction novels.